Mr ANDREWS (2:04 PM) —My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister advise the House what action the government is taking to prevent the further escalation of gambling in Australia and the social detriment that flows from it?

Mr HOWARD (Prime Minister) —I am pleased to say on behalf of the government that, unlike the Labor Party, we are concerned about preventing the spread of gambling in this country. It is the view of this government that there is already too much gambling in Australia. It is unrealistic to expect a roll-back—now isn't that an interesting word, Mr Speaker—of existing facilities but the very least I would have thought all of the major political parties in this country would be willing to do would be to take action to prevent the further spread of opportunities for gambling and opportunities for human and family misery.

I welcome very warmly the statement that has already been made by Senator Woodley, a member of the Australian Democrats, that this is the first federal government—this is not a Liberal Senator; this is a member of the Australian Democrats—in this country to have seriously addressed the issue of problem gambling. On behalf of the government, I want to say that this is a very important measure that, if enacted by the parliament, will save many thousands of Australians from further misery as a result of the abusive gambling by in the order of 300,000 Australians. Nothing the Leader of the Opposition says and nothing his spokeswoman, Senator Lundy, has said on this issue can alter the fact that if this measure is passed into law the opportunities for the spread of gambling in Australia will be reduced.

Mr Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition and others can say as much as they like about why don't we abolish poker machines but, I mean, what an unrealistic proposition. They talk about impracticality but their shadow minister is saying that she is against this because we will not abolish poker machines. What an absurd proposition. We have a choice at the moment: we can either facilitate the further spread of gambling online or not facilitate the further spread of gambling online. This government stands for preventing further gambling abuse in Australia.

I welcome the support that has been given to the government stance by the Labor Premier of New South Wales, the most successful Labor figure in Australia at the present time. He knows a thing or two about community views on this issue, and Bob Carr has aligned himself with the approach taken by the government. But the weak-kneed, negative Labor Party in the federal parliament have decided to align themselves with the Internet gambling industry, as they have aligned themselves with the breweries in relation to the beer excise. I think this measure of the federal government will do something towards slowing the spread of gambling. There is too much gambling in Australia. It does cause misery. It does destroy families. It does harm children. I think all responsible political leaders ought to take a stand to prevent the further spread of gambling.